Naslov
The influence of war on the oral health of professional soldiers

Autori
Šuman, M. ; Špalj, Stjepan ; Plančak, Darije ; Dukić, Walter ; Jurić, Hrvoje

Izvornik
International dental journal (0020-6539) 58 (2008), 2; 71-74

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
war; stress; oral health; oral hygiene habits; professional soldiers

Sažetak
Professional soldiers, although trained to deal with specific conditions, are not immune to war stress induced behavioural changes, and since oral diseases are behaviour-related some changes in the oral cavity could be expected. The study was conducted on 640 professional soldiers in the Croatian Army, aged 19-49 years. The study group consisted of 336 soldiers in active service during the war in Croatia (1991-1997), while control group included 304 soldiers in peacetime service. Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT) and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) as well as questionnaires concerning dental behaviour and diet were employed. RESULTS: War group soldiers had significantly poorer oral health with DMFT being 14.4 in the war group and 13.1 in the controls, respectively (p < 0.001). The war group also showed a significantly higher number of periodontal pockets and excluded sextants, but lower numbers of healthy sextants (1.3 war group and 2.1 control ; p < 0.001). Significant differences between the war and peacetime groups according to the number of dental visits, daily brushing frequency and diet were found. There was a tendency towards the deterioration of oral health with increase in time spent in battle fields. War conditions have a significant influence on the increased prevalence and severity of oral diseases for professional soldiers.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Dentalna medicina

POVEZANOST RADA